9 Days Uganda & Rwanda Wildlife Safari – Double Gorilla Treks & Game Viewing
The customized 9 Days Uganda Rwanda safari for game viewing, double gorilla trekking and boat cruising experience. Explore the gem in the Pearl of Africa and the Land of a Thousand Hills on this 9 days safari tailored and guided by Africa Adventure Safaris. The 9 Days trip will take you to Queen Elizabeth National park, Uganda’s second largest park located in western Uganda. The park is shared by Rubirizi, Kamwenge, Kasese and Rukungiri districts. The savannah Park spreads on 1,978 square kilometers sheltering a high number of animals and birds. Game drives offer you spectacular views of animals such as Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Elands, Topis, Hippos, Crocodiles, Uganda kobs, Spotted Hyenas, Giant Forest Hogs and African buffalos among others. For birders, Queen Elizabeth National Park shelters over 600 birds making it home to the highest number of birds in East African region. The notable birds to see QENP include Swamp flycatcher, Palm nut vulture, Collared Planticole, Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Hobby, African finfoot, African Hobby, Pink backed pelican, Great blue turaco and Great white pelican best seen on the banks of Kazinga channel and in forested areas of the park. The underground forest of Kyambura gorge shelters the endangered chimpanzees offering you with a close encounter with the endangered primates not forgetting the rare tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector.
The 9 Days safari also takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park, home to half of the world’s total gorilla population. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi takes place in anyone of the four gorilla regions (Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma and Rushaga) which make up the park. You will have your first gorilla trek in Bwindi Forest giving you chance to trek one of the 17 gorilla families habituated. These gorilla groups are Nkuringo, Oruzogo, Bweza, Mishaya, Muyambi, Kutu, Rwigi, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Mubare, Bitukura, Nshongi, Katwe, Christmas and Kyaguliro. Bwindi Forest also has 2 gorilla families (Bushaho & Bikyingi) undergoing habituation experience. Still in Bwindi Forest, viit batwa pygmies for a cultural performance to learn the traditions and customs of these indigenous forest people. An evening at Lake Bunyonyi is a not miss on this trip to discover the facts about this deep lake.
Cross to Rwanda for your second gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National park. Meet up with one of Rwanda’s habituated families (Amahoro, Umubano, Agashya, SusaA, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Hirwa, Pablo, Titus and Kwitonda). The park also offers memorable hiking experience to hike Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke and Dian Fossey Grave yard. The park also rewards you with a memorable golden monkey trekking experience to meet up with these playful creatures. In addition to the primates, Volcanoes National park is home to over 180 bird species which make it a haven for birders. Notable birds seen in VNP include Common Stonechat, Ruwenzori Turaco, Black Crowned Waxbill, Ruwenzori Double Collared sunbird and African Long Eared Owl among others. A visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village for a cultural experience giving you chance to learn the traditions, norms and customs of Rwandase. Intore and Amakondere dances performed is heartwarming and enjoyable!
The 9 Days Uganda and Rwanda gorilla safari starts in Uganda ending in Kigali
Trip summary
- Day 1, Arrival and pick up at Entebbe International Airport
- Day 2: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 3: Game drive and launch cruise
- Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
- Day 6: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 7: Transfer to Rwanda
- Day 8: Gorilla Trekking
- Day 9: Golden Monkey Trekking and transfer to Kigali
Detailed itinerary
Day 1, Arrival and pick up at Entebbe International Airport
Depending on arrival time, you will have a brief Kampala city tour. You will tour the Uganda museum, the Nakasero market and in the afternoon have a cultural presentation and later have dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you will drive to western Uganda along the western rim of the great Rift Valley. En route to the Park stopover at the Equator for water experiment and photographs; also stop over at Mpigi (Mpambire drum village) where you can be able to watch the ceremonial drums made out of local materials. Proceed and have lunch in Mbarara town and then proceed and reach Queen Elizabeth National Park in the evening. The Park is also located on the foothills of Mountain Rwenzori also known as the Mountains of the Moon
Day 3: Game drive and launch cruise
Early morning after breakfast, you will set out for the game drive along the Kasenyi track for game viewing including the Buffalo, Elephant, Warthog and Lion. After this, return to the lodge for lunch and later depart for the 2 hours launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Here you will encounter a close look at the Hippos, crocodiles and other bird species. Dinner and overnight stay at Simba Safari camp for budget/Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge or Hippo hill camp for mid range/ Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari lodge for Luxury
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
After breakfast, you will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha sector an area commonly known for the rare tree climbing lions. After the game drive in Ishasha, have lunch and later proceed with your journey to Bwindi reaching in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay at Gorilla Resort Camp or Gorilla Forest Camp for Luxury/ Lake Kitandara tented camp or Silverback Lodge for mid range/Buhoma community Bandas or Wagtail Safari Camp for Budget
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
After an early morning breakfast, gather at Buhoma the Park headquarters for a briefing from the Ranger Guide of Uganda Wildlife Authority. You will be briefed about the Gorilla tracking protocol and once this is done, you will set out with your packed lunch and penetrate the Jungle forest to search for the rare Mountain Gorillas. The time taken to track gorillas is unpredictable and it can take 2- 10 hours. Dinner and overnight stay at Gorilla Resort Camp or Gorilla Forest Camp for Luxury/ Lake Kitandara tented camp or Silverback Lodge for mid range/Buhoma community Bandas or Wagtail Safari Camp for Budget
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi via Kabale the place commonly known as the Switzerland of Africa. Enjoy the boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi to the most Islands on the Lake. Each Island is characterized by different bird species. Dinner and overnight at Bushara Island Camp/Arcadia cottages
Day 7: Transfer to Rwanda
After breakfast, drive across the Uganda -Rwanda- Katuna Border and connect to Ruhengeri. You will have your lunch en route and arrive at your Lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay. Dinner and overnight stay Virunga Volcanoes Lodge / Sabinyo Silver Back Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Kinigi guest house/Hotel Muhabura
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking
After breakfast, you will set out of your lodge with your packed lunch to the ORTPN Offices for briefing and gorilla tracking escorts and Rangers. You will then start your trek of the Gorillas. Once you come across the bamboo forest logs and also your first perception of the sound the breaking of bamboo indicating that the gorillas are nearer. Prepare yourself for the enjoyful encounter with the Gorillas and wonderful experience. Stay with the gorillas for 1 hour and then and trek back to your lodge or lunch and in the afternoon, visit the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera. Dinner and overnight stay Virunga Volcanoes Lodge / Sabinyo Silver Back Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Kinigi guest house/Hotel Muhabura
Day 9: Golden Monkey Trekking and transfer to Kigali
After a morning breakfast, you will again assemble at the ORTPN Offices for another briefing from the rangers as you prepare you for Golden monkey trekking. Golden monkeys are very rare and so in Rwanda are only found here. Return back to the Lodge for lunch and in the afternoon you will transfer to Kigali for your evening departure flight back home
End of Safari
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